Door Saddle boards

[ChrisJefferies]

Hi Folks,

I've got about 5 wooden door saddles to put down over woodfloor/tiles but I'm struggling to get two things right. They're about an 3/4 inch thick and 6 inches wide.

The first problem is a nice cut around the door architrave, what's the best technique?

The second is - I've used masonary nails to pin the first saddle down to the concrete floor (between the gaps in the two wood floors) but the tiny up and down movement when someone walks on it gradually pulls lifts the nails out. Are nails or screws the best way to do these things. I was wondering whether to counter sink a couple of screws and then fill with a round wooden insert. Does anyone know how you make such an insert?

Thanks

Chris

[tim'll fix it]

you make the plug with a plug cutter, this is a cheap and nasty set

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 0&ts=54484

why dont you glue them down

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/sea/sea ... =pink+grip

[ChrisJefferies]

Thanks, that might be an idea. Plug cutters also look handy.

[carhartt kid]

Chris,

I'd cut the saddled threshold with a coping saw , having used a profile gauge to find and mark out the shape needed. Use a good sharp new blade, and remember to run the teeth into the finish side.

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/lrg ... l&ts=02804

If you don't have a profile gauge, you could trim cardboard until it was a prefect fit around the doorframe etc. then use this as a template to mark your shape. Remeber to make a new one for each cut, they'll all be different.

As for fitting it to the floor. Buy some lengths of 10mm aluminium u-section (like box section but with one side missing). B&Q have a good selection these usually.

Using a table saw, cut two channels on the underside of the saddle to take the u-section. It would take bloody ages to describe perfectly, so i hope this link gives you a idea of what im getting at.:


http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/lrg ... l&ts=02364

Remember to cut out a channel/recess to accommodate the bar fully. Run a sharp chisel between the two cuts to do this. Once you managed to create a good match between the two, drill, and then screw the u-section to the floor (plugs etc) and then run a small bead of silicone down the u-section and secure the saddle. Glue is too rigid and will work loose in time. Sillycone has good adhesion to both materials (buff the ally u-sec a bit with some wire wool first), will flex with traffic and will allow you to remove/change/maintain the saddles if need be, when glue wouldn't

Obvoiusly the first one will feel a bit experimental, so take your time and work it all out slowly. When you've done the first, the others will seem a doddle!!!

Hope this helps and ain't too late...

[ChrisJefferies]

Another good idea. I've just bought a table saw as well so it'd give me a little project to make use of it.
The wood floors in the adjoining rooms are quite thick so I guess I just buy the correct depth of U channel to reach from concrete floor to say the middle of the saddle board.

Thanks for the help.

Regards,

Chris